The Toronto Zoo and its workers’ union reached a tentative agreement Thursday on a new labour deal following a 24-hour bargaining session.
Representatives of CUPE Local 1600 said the agreement was reached early in the morning with the assistance of a provincially appointed mediator.
Staff at the zoo have been on strike since May 11 after talks broke off between the bargaining committee and zoo management.
READ MORE: Toronto Zoo management staff not trained to care for animals during strike: union
The union said details of the tentative agreement will not be released until members have had a chance to review and vote on it over the weekend.
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Toronto Zoo officials said in a statement it will be begin assessing within the next 24 to 48 hours when the zoo can reopen once the tentative agreement is ratified.
Close to 100 non-unionized zoo and management staff have been taking care of the zoo animals during the strike.
READ MORE: Toronto Zoo closed ‘until further notice’ as unionized staff go on strike
“We want to extend a sincere thank you to these exempt employees and their families who made a number of sacrifices over the past month,” the zoo said in a media release.
“As a result of their hard work, commitment and dedication, the animals continued to receive excellent care and our critical conservation programs were not impacted by the strike.”
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Staff on strike included zookeepers, horticulturalists, trades people, administrative and public relations staff and concession and ride operators.
VIDEO: Workers and zoo management say the biggest dispute revolves around job security. Mark Carcasole reports.
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